Hurricanes Getting Ready To Line Up Against Tigers

Offensive and defensive lines strengthen heading into Saturday

Sept. 13, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The 13th-ranked Hurricanes practiced in full pads on Tuesday afternoon at the Greentree Practice Fields in preparation for their ACC showdown with the No. 20 Clemson Tigers on Saturday. Miami's practice offered temperatures similar to the 86-degree highs expected in Death Valley and saw good signs for their offensive and defensive lines for Saturday's game.

"We pushed through (practice) pretty well today," head coach Larry Coker said. "Obviously it's hot and humid. It's going to be hot and humid in South Carolina as well. We have to be prepared and ready to give a great effort. That's what it's going to take to win the football game."

With several Hurricanes sustaining injuries in the season opener at Florida State, including sophomore safety Anthony Reddick's season-ending knee injury, Coker finally had good news to offer heading into Saturday's game. Junior defensive tackle Baraka Atkins (knee), who saw limited time in practice on Tuesday, should be on the field against Clemson this weekend. "We definitely expect (Atkins) to play," Coker said. "He's much, much better. It's just a situation where we don't want to set him back."

The offensive line will have the added help of now-healthy senior Tony Tella at right guard against the Tigers as well. Tella, who injured his ankle in training camp, saw limited playing time against Florida State on Sept. 5, but he should provide added depth with the help of sophomore guard Andrew Bain.

"I think (Tella) can help us, just from his experience," Coker said. "He definitely can help us out. I expect Andrew to be in the rotation also. Andrew is smart, he can play both guard positions."

UM heads back to the practice fields at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.